The primary funding source for the Eaton Rapids Area District Library is property taxes derived from a millage voted in by county residents. This millage expires in December 2028. Other sources of revenue include state aid, penal fines, grants, donations, and more. The library’s annual operating budget is approximately $420,000. Each of JDL’s funding sources are presented in more detail below:

Property Tax

Current tax revenue is generated from a millage rate of .98 mills which is a slight reduction from the rate of 1 mill passed by county voters in 2018. The average Hamlin Township, Eaton Rapids Township, and CIty of Eaton Rapids homeowner pays roughly $9 per month (or $0.98 per every $1,000 of taxable value on their property). Property taxes represent anywhere from 85-90% of ERADL’s total annual income.

State Aid

Act 89 of 1977 provides for the establishment of cooperative libraries and for an appropriation for public libraries participating in cooperative libraries. Eaton Rapids Area District Library is a member of the Woodlands Library Cooperative and submits annual statistical reports to the State of Michigan as part of the State Aid process. These statistics are available at http://www.michigan.gov/libraryofmichigan. State aid represents anywhere from 1-2% of ERADL’s total annual income every year.

Penal Fines

The Michigan State Constitution of 1963 requires that all penalties collected for violations of the state penal laws be divided into court costs, statutory fees, and penal fees. The penal fines are placed in a library fund to be used for the support of public libraries. The amount is determined yearly based on population and local laws. The amount distributed depends on the amount of citations written using the state penal code, the fines levied by the court, and the fines collected by the county. Penal fines represent anywhere from 5-8% of ERADL’s total annual income every year.

Fees

Fees are charged for lost or damaged items so that they may be replaced, as well as for making copies at any of our branches. While there is a yearly fee of $25.00 for out of area residents desiring a library card, anyone who works or goes to school in Eaton Rapids can get a library card for free. Fees represent less than 1% of ERADL’s annual revenue.

Miscellaneous/Other

Other revenue, such as donations and investments, is included in the library’s annual income which accounts for approximately 2-3% of ERADL’s annual budget.

How Can You Help

Contact your local legislature and government representative and express the need for better library funding, capital improvements, and sustainability.
Visit the Donate to the Library for ways you can donate to support the library